5 Advanced Base Workshop REME War Diary - 1943

Discussion in 'REME/RAOC' started by RosyRedd, May 31, 2011.

  1. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    This is from War Diary WO169/12404. Although the diary entries are from Jan - Dec 1943, I only required those from Jan - August '43, so it is not the complete diary - and thanks to Lee (Psywar.org) who did the copying.

    I haven't included the monthly output figures so if anyone does want a look at those let me know :)

    During this period the unit was based at Al Mussaiyib, Iraq.


    It is now 12 months since the foundations of the first workshop building were completed at Mussaiyib. The month of January 1943 has also seen a large increase of military personnel due to the arrival of No 19 Workshop Coy REME. The following general review is therefore made of the position as on 31st Jan '43

    Personnel: Numbers employed or under training in 5 Adv. Base Workshop are:

    H.Q. 5 Advanced Base Workshop & No 5 Workshop Coy – 439

    H.Q. 1 Adv. Base Wkshop – 58

    19 Workshop Coy – 224

    102 Tank Wkshop Coy – 108

    Attached British O.R.s – 71

    Indian O.R.s – 5

    Polish Technical Training Section – 560

    Civilian employees - 1672

    Workshop Accomodation. The general position is:

    Permanent Buildings occupied – 370,000 sq ft
    Temporary Buildings occupied - 30,000 sq ft
    Buildings under construction – 143.000 sq ft
    Buildings authorised but not started – 13,800 sq ft

    Equipment. A large number of machine tools are still on order, but by using the equipment of 1 Adv. Base Wkshop & 102 Tank Workshop the equipment position is quite fair.

    Output. The vehicle output is very low. This is due almost entirely to the shortage of Chevrolet spares, particularly engine parts. Unit overhaul programmes have had to be dropped completely and we are now limited to 3 vehicles per day for complete overhaul plus as many reconditioned assemblies as we can produce. As a stop gap we have taken in vehicles for 2nd line repairs – this is most unsatisfactory as the semi-skilled civilian employees who have been trained here to do certain operations of the Chevrolet overhaul line are quite useless for general jobbing work on miscellaneous vehicles. Civilian labour is very well suited to repetition work and as such labour is plentiful here I have represented strongly to G.H.Q that we undertake overhauls of both Ford & Chevrolet on a large scale and that 1 Base Workshops, with their large strength of military labour do the miscellaneous vehicles.

    Regimental. The morale of the various units comprising this Workshop – high. The hutting programme is well on the way to completion and the men will be in huts before the really hot weather. Regimental training is being resumed on a “Camp” basis.

    Security. A certain amount of minor pilfering still exists but is steadily declining due to improved security measures such as increased guards, erection of wire fence etc. No cases of sabotage have been reported during this month.

    31st January /43 [signed] Lt. Col D.L. Campbell.


    Al Mussaiyib - 1st January 1943 – Nothing to report.

    2nd January - Nothing to report.

    3rd January – Colonel D. Robertson left to take up a new appointment.

    4th, 5th, 6th, 7th January – Nothing to report.

    8th January – Major General A.R. Selby M.G.A. inspected Robertson Camp, Polish Trainees in No 4 Workshop and V.R.P.
    1st Afridi Bn. (Commando's) took over responsibility of Workshop Guards from 5th Guides.
    Verbal instructions received from D.M.E. G.H.Q. P.A.I.F. that 19 Workshop Coy REME advance party have reached Baghdad.

    9th January – Lt. Colonel D.L. Campbell visited G.H.Q. and saw the D.M.E. and D.D.M.E. on Workshop affairs.

    10th January – D.A.D.M.S. 2nd Ind Div inspected cookhouses in Robertson Camp.

    11th January – Practice air raid warning RED received by phone at 09:57 hrs Local time, all clear 10:40 hrs Local time.
    Advance party of 19 Workshop Coy arrived, comprised of 1 Officer 122 OR's.

    12th January – A further party of No 19 Workshop Coy arrived 1 Officer 42 OR.s.

    13th January – 51 O.R's of 19 Workshop Coy arrived.

    14th January – 122 O.R's of 19 Workshop Coy were allocated to Sub Workshops and commenced work.

    15th Janaury – Permission received for the naming of our three Camps. Personnel are distributed as follows:-

    Robertson Camp: H.Q. No 5 Advanced Base Workshop
    5 Workshop Company.

    Birkle Camp: H.Q. No 1 Advanced Base Workshop
    19 Workshop Company
    102 Infantry Tank Workshop.

    Sikorski Camp: Polish Technical Training Section.

    16th January – 22 O.R's and 1 Officer of 19 Workshop Coy arrived. A further 88 O.R's of 19 Workshop Company were absorbed into Workshops.

    17th January – 18 O.R's and 2 Officers of 19 Workshop Coy arrived.

    18th , 19th , 20th January – Nothing to report.

    21st January – Lt. Colonel D.L.Campbell visited G.H.Q. and discussed personnel questions with the D.M.E. A further 33 O.R's of 19 Workshop Company were absorbed into Workshops.
     
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  2. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    22nd January – Nothing to report.

    23rd January – Sanction given by G.H.Q. to alter the proposed location and function of No 5 Shop. It will now be erected “E” of No 24 Shop. When completed all machines from 24 Shop will be transferred and 24 Shop will be used for repair of R.E.'s machinery.

    24th January – Boundary fence on the West side of Workshops area has been completed. It will be necessary to move Sikorski Camp as it is now bisected by the perimeter fence. An alternative site to the North has been selected.

    25th January – Visit by General ? Polish Army to inspect Polish personnel in Workshop. Instructions received by telephone from G.H.Q. to put equipment of 5 Br. Div on 1st priority for repairs.
    50 O.R's from 19 Workshop Company were today dispatched to No 1 Base Workshops. They are to be attached for all purposes but not posted.

    26th January – Visit from Colonel D. Roberston, C.E.M.E. No 1 Base Workshop.

    27th January – D.Q.M.G. War Office and Brigadier W.R. Beddington (D.Q.M.G. Paiforce) inspected Workshops.

    28th January – Nothing to report.

    29th January – Lt. Colonel D.L. Campbell visited G.H.Q. to discuss Civilian Labour problems with D.D.M.E.

    30th and 31st January – Nothing to report.


    Al Mussaiyib – 1st , 2nd February 1943 – NIL

    3rd February – Major Generals KOSSAKOWSKI and ODZIERZYNSKI of the Polish Army inspected the Polish Technical Training Centre.

    4th, 5th February – NIL

    6th February – Lieut. Colonel Day and Lieut Colonel Marson from E.M.E. Directorate, G.H.Q. inspected Workshops.

    7th February – NIL

    8th February – 3 – 40 m/m A.A. Guns arrived to-day for overhaul. They are urgently required for issue.

    9th February – a further 4 – 40 m/m guns received on the same priority.

    10th February – The first 14 Valentine Tanks for servicing arrived today. They are urgently required for the Polish Army and have been put on top priority.

    11th February – Major Sexstone D.A.D.M.E. inspected work in progress in the Gun Shop. Six 40 m/m A.A. Guns were promised by the following day.

    12th February – NIL

    13th February – Three men broke camp during the night and created a disturbance in Al-Mussaiyib. They are now under close arrest. Orders received from G.H.Q. that 13 Valentine Tanks must be completed by 19 Feb, 43. 57 m/m guns are also to be rushed through at once on 1st Priority.
    Arrangements made for night shift and Sunday work. The 40 m/m A.A. Guns were delivered to A.O.D. Having been completed one day after original date promised.

    14th February – Great activity in Gun and Tank Shops. All workshop personnel are in Shops in view of urgency of work although normally every endeavour is made to give men one days rest in seven to prevent them from getting stale.

    15th February – Welding equipment and men have been taken from all Shops to accelerate out-put of Valentines. 3 eight hour shifts per day are now being worked by welders to make full use of welding plant. The 40 m/m Guns delivered urgently to 211 Ind. A.O.D. on 13th have not yet been issued by them.

    16th February – Visit from the D.M.E. regarding Gun servicing times. He disclosed that the rush on both Tanks and Guns are for training equipment. This proved rather an anti-climax to the Shops generally as it was thought from the great urgency that had been placed on them they were required for action and not training.

    17th February – C.E.M.E. visited H.Q. 30th Ind Infty Bde regarding Court Martial on the men who created a disturbance in Al-Mussaiyib on 13th Feb.

    18th February – The 40 m/m A.A. Guns which were rushed through and delivered to A.O.D. on 13th Feb are still lying in the Depot not yet collected. This is considered very bad indeed for the morale of the Gun Shop as these Guns are in full view of Workshop personnel. When men are asked to work hard on a job because it is urgent and respond well, they should not be rewarded by seeing their work lying in the Depot days later. A protest has been made to D.M.E. G.H.Q. Instructions received from G.H.Q. P.A.I.F. letter...dated 16th Feb, 43 detailing precautions to be taken on receipt of new and secret types of equipment.

    19th February – The Valentine Tanks (less one held up for spares) have been completed but the A.O.D. have no news of any arrangements for their issue. In view of the 40 m/m Gun delay G.H.Q. have been asked by us to ensure action is taken.

    The 40 m/m guns were to-day collected by a unit from A.O.D.

    20th February – Col. Millard (DDME GHQ) inspected workshops. There is still no news of the Tanks going away and the C.E.M.E. represented strongly to Col. Millard the bad effect which this has on both men and Officers of Workshops who are asked to rush jobs through and then see them lying for days without being collected, and that this state of affairs tends to make personnel lose interest in their work and no longer respond to the stimulus of “Urgency” and “Priority” Further Tanks are arriving daily by train, and the flats go out empty.

    21st February – The Tanks are still here, but signs of activity can be seen. The A.O.D; Movement Control and Town Major have had phone calls from G.H.Q. Branches. Slight rain fell today but not enough to stop traffic.
    Major Sexstone D.A.D.M.E. , G.H.Q. arrived for a weeks attachment.

    22nd February – The C.E.M.E. was sent for by D.M.E. to G.H.Q. for a conference with C.E.M.E. No 1 Base Workshop. On arrival at Baghdad it was found that C.E.M.E. Base had postponed his visit by 24 hours so conference was cancelled.
    The Valentines were today loaded and despatched.

    23rd February – Heavy rain has fallen. Roads were closed by 10:00 hrs both internally in Workshops and throughout the area.
    Information received in G.H.Q. P.A.I.F. letter...dated 20 Feb, 43 to the effect that 44 Pheasants (Secret Equipment) are being sent for modification and servicing and that 18 are due to arrive in two weeks time.
    Notification received that detachment No 19 Workshop Coy, R.E.M.E. are due to return to M.E. Authority given to retain the following personnel for 3 months to help in carrying out present heavy programmes.
    Personnel to be retained:-
    Amt Art M.V. - 2, Armt. Art. 7d – 1,
    Armt Art A.A. - 1, Turners – 10,
    Metal Machinists – 5, Fitters General – 10,
    Toolmaker – 1, Welders – 3, Storemen – 2,
    Armourers – 2.

    24th February – Rain stopped during the night and roads are drying fast. There was no movement of Tanks either yesterday or today which is delaying work in shops. C.E.M.E. together with C.E.M.E. No 1 Adv. Base Workshop visited D.M.E. who informed them that C.E.M.E. No 1 Advanced Base Workshop is to be attached to No 1 Base Workshop for duty there.

    25th, 26th, 27th February – NIL

    28th February – An Officers rifle competition was held at the 30 yds range.
    Major Sexstone returned to G.H.Q. after his weeks attachment.

    February 1943 – Al Mussaiyib

    The workshop building programme is rapidly nearing completion. During February buildings No 70 (Stores), No 82, 82A (Carpenters & Sawmill), No 25 (Blacksmiths, Tinsmiths, etc), No 18 (Inspections & Painters), No 9 (Body Shops) were taken into use. In addition No 10 (Body Shop) and No 79 (Textiles) are fit for occupation but are not yet in use, and No 21 (Manufacture) No 81 (Motor Cycles) No 15 (Instruments & Wireless) No 32 (Petrol Store) are almost ready for occupation. In most cases the work now being done in these new shops was previously carried out in temporary Chattie structures so the effect of the new buildings will be to give greatly improved Workshop facilities and working conditions rather than a large increase in floor area. Co-operation with the Royal Engineers under C.R.E. (Br) 27 Works is excellent and their rate of construction very satisfactory.

    There has been an unfortunate tendency during this month for E.M.E.
    Directorate at G.H.Q. to rush work through the shops as high priority and then the completed equipments have lain about for days before they were despatched.

    This is thoroughly bad for Workshop morale as the men feel they are being asked to work long hours and give up their rest day un-necessarily. It is appreciated that REME must always rush through urgent jobs if asked and that their subsequent issue to units is governed by many factors outside of REME or RAOC control. It is however very unfortunate that as the AG9[?] and workshop buildings and stacking areas are intermingled the completed work remains under the very noses of the men who overhauled them urgently.

    G.H.Q. M.E. have asked for the return of 19 Workshop Coy so it is anticipated that they will be despatched from here before long. We have asked to be allowed to retain approximately 35 men for two months to complete the heavy programme of Gun and Tank servicing and modification. Up to 28 Feb, 43 – 75 Valentine Tanks have arrived in this Workshop and 25 Pdr and 57 m/m Guns arrive daily by train.

    [Signed] Lt.Col. D.L.Campbell REME 28 February '43.
     
  3. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    Al-Mussaiyib - 1st March 1943 – Lt. Col. Metcalf, C.E.M.E. No 1 Advanced Base Workshop was attached to No 1 Base Workshop from here on temporary duty.

    2nd March – Brig Drew (A.F.V.) and Brig Birkle (D.M.E) inspected the tank shop, and discussed Grant and Valentine tank modifications.

    3rd March – Major L.S.F. Charles to-day posted to this unit. He will be in charge of Production and Planning. The first 17 Pd gun to be issued to this command arrived. They are to be assembled and serviced as secret equipment in a special shop...

    4th March – Brig Prynne (D.P.L) visited Workshops to discus Civilian Labour questions...

    5th March – Nothing to report.

    6th March – The Valentine tank output has been helped by the decision not to weld the suspension brackets as the correct welding rod is not available.

    7th March – 57 m/m guns continue to arrive in large quantities by train. Unloading is being done daily.

    8th March – Nothing to report.

    9th March – Lt. Col. Moore. R.A. and Major Bellan REME (GHQ) inspected a Grant tank damaged by shell blast internally. Complaints received from R.T.O. that trains of guns are not being unloaded quickly enough. The position is that the work is entirely A.O.D. responsibility but as they have no crane facilities we are assisting by unloading with B/Down lorries. This was made clear to the R.T.O.

    10th March - Major Hepworth (Rgtl Officer No 1 Advanced Base Workshop) returned after temporary duty at No 1 Base Workshop.

    11th March – C.E.M.E. visited G.H.Q. to discuss Military Labour questions with D.M.E.

    12th March – Warning order received that 19 Workshop Coy are being sent to Mid East from this Workshop. This will have a serious effect on output as it almost halves the Military Personnel in Workshop.

    13th March – The first Polish Technical Training Course finished in Shops today. Approximately 500 men have been under instruction in these workshops for the last 3 months and it is considered that the experiment has been a success.

    14th March – Heavy rains, all roads closed.

    15th March – Permission received to retain 35 men of 19 Workshop Coy in Shops till the end of April. They will form a rear party and are to be on tank and gun output in view of the present heavy commitments.

    16th March – Thunderstorm has caused flooding in Workshop and Camp area.

    17th March – All roads closed and floods remain bad in Workshop area. Guns are held up on rail waiting for unloading vehicles and all road testing of vehicles is of course impossible.

    18th March – More rain but some guns were unloaded in the afternoon.

    19th March – Rain again. Armourers Shop, a tented one, is flooded out and they are being moved into lean-to buildings of the Tank Shop No.11.

    20th March – Still raining. Armourers Shop moved to-day.

    21st March – A big dust storm blew up from a great distance away as there is mud everywhere within miles of here. Fine dust carried by the wind lay like a film on the mud. More rain followed.

    22nd March – 6 Light Tanks MK VIB and 3 Crusader Tanks have been serviced by these Workshops for presentation to the Iraqi Army. They left Shop to-day.

    23rd March – C.E.M.E. visited the new D.M.E. Brig Stewart at G.H.Q.

    24th March – Nothing to report.

    25th March – 19 Workshop Coy less rear party left for M.E. Captain PARKINSON (E.M.E) posted to H.Q. 10th Army. C.E.M.E. returned from Baghdad.

    26th, 27th, 28th, 29th & 30th March – Nothing to report.

    31st March – C.E.M.E. attended 30th Ind. Infty Bde. Conference.

    March 1943 - Al Mussaiyib

    The chief feature of the month has been a standstill order on all R.E. work in the workshop area. This was later amended to allow a small amount to be done to finish building already erected but owing to the movement of R.E. units from the area this work is being done slowly or with difficulty. No written instructions have been received but it is understood that Buildings No 12, 5, 19 & 22 have now been cancelled. There is fortunately sufficient accommodation for the work at present in hand, so this cancellation will not effect output.
    The most serious problem was the proposed stoppage of the water main installation as this is essential if work is to continue here this summer. Verbal permission has now been given to continue with this for the present as the matter is still being discussed by G.H.Q.
    Morale continues to be high and by the end of April the camp huts will be sufficiently far advanced for occupation. This will give a marked improvement in living conditions for the men.

    [Signed] Lt. Col. D.L. Campbell.

    Al Mussaiyib - 1st April 1943 – The change over from winter to summer scale of clothing coincided with a sharp rise in temperature.

    2nd April – The newly appointed D.M.E. Brigadier C.G. Stewart arrived with Lt. Col. L. Mason for a 2 day inspection of Workshops. In the evening they attended an excellent concert given by the Polish male voice choir.

    3rd April – Inspection of Workshops by D.M.E. concluded satisfactorily.

    4th April – C.E.M.E. held a conference with O.C. Polish Tech Training Centre regarding distribution in shops of the next class of trainees.

    5th April – Nothing to report.

    6th April – C.E.M.E. held a conference with C.R.E. and his officers on the completion of Workshops already under construction. Despite the hold up all R.E. work it was agreed to continue the installation of piped drinking water under the heading of an essential service.

    7th April – Nothing to report.

    8th April – Brig Drew (A.F.V.) visited Workshops with Lt. Col. Day (A.D.M.E.) to examine the stowage of 2 pdr ammunition on the Valentine V tank.

    9th, 10th, 11th, 12th April – Nothing to report.

    13th April – The canal on the N perimeter of the Workshop area overflowed due to the Iraqis digging a hole in the bank to irrigate their crops. No damage was done but the banks are now guarded continually as the water level is above the Dangerous Flood Level.

    14th April – Nothing to report.

    15th April – C.E.M.E. visited D.M.E. regarding the 2/5 full size [?] Humber armoured car which is being built by these Workshops. It will be presented to H.M. King Faisal of Iraq by the C in C, on the Kings eighth birthday on 2 May.

    16th April – C.E.M.E. attended conference in Town Major's office concerning the operation of the area Swimming Pool which has now been completed. It is on the edge of the Workshop area and will be a great attraction during the summer.

    17th & 18th April – Nothing to report.

    19th April – Brig Drew (A.F.V.) again inspected Valentine Tank with D.A.D.M.E. Polish Mil-Mission.

    20th April – Brig Gaisford and Brig Stewart inspected the model armoured car in Workshops.

    21st April – Nothing to report.

    22nd April – C.E.M.E. saw D/C.R.E. Regarding completion of R.E. Work. Due to the departure of R.E. Units from the area the remaining work, with the exception of water supply which the R.E.'s will finish, will now be put out to local contract.

    23rd April – Work ceased to day at 15:00 hrs. A general change round is being made in the camp area as the new hutted camp is sufficiently far advanced to allow partial occupation. Personnel are now distributed as follows:-
    Hutted Camp:- 5 Workshop Coy, R.E.M.E.
    Robertson Camp:- H.Q. 5 A.B.W., H.Q. 1 A.B.W.
    102 Infty Tk W/Shop
    Rear Party 19 Workshop Coy.
    All attached personnel
    Birkle Camp:- W.O's & Sgts of all units.
    Sikorski Camp:- Polish Tech Tng Centre.

    24th April – All work has ceased for 3 days. Under Civilian Labour Regs (P.A.I.Force) all Civilians must be given 3 days holiday so D.M.E. [said] that military personnel would fall into line. The time is being devoted to sport and recreational training...

    25th April - ...Parade held, followed by march past of all Workshop units.

    30th April – C.E.M.E. visited G.H.Q. to see D.M.E.
    C.E.M.E. 1 Base Workshop was also present .
    D.M.E. stated that he was arranging for tank overhauls to be done by this Workshop with the exception of engines which would be done by No 1 Base Workshop.

    April 1943 – Al Mussaiyib

    With the departure from the area of all R.E. Units constructional work in the workshop area ceased during this month. A rear party of No 3 Eng...Indian Engineers are completing the installation of piped drinking water to all shops and will finish this work in approx 3 weeks time. It is proposed to finish shops No 15 and 20 by local contractors and 70% of the erection work is already done.

    The regimental allotment of 45 huts for the new camp has now been reduced to 25 and during the month 20 of these have been occupied. The huts are good and will improve living conditions considerably during the hot weather.

    The swimming pool was also finished and both men and officers are making full use of it in the morning and evening. Although an area pool the reduction of units in the neighbourhood allows this unit to use it whenever we like.
    Workshop output has improved during the month but the vehicle output is still very low due to the serious shortage of Chevrolet engine spares. The number of vehicles awaiting repair in V.R.G. continues to rise and there are now 482 in that condition. The armament output has been very good but the number of guns received for servicing and modification shows signs of falling off.

    Morale is good but it is natural that rumours of impending moves of the unit should be rife at present in view of the steady flow of units from the area and the curtailment of all construction work.

    [Signed] Lt. Col. D. Campbell.
     
  4. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    May 1943 – Al Mussaiyib

    Workshops

    The small trickle of Chevrolet engine spares dried up completely during this months and Chev vehicle overhauls are now at a standstill. The shortage of spares is well known by all concerned and it is understood that the matter is at last being tackled firmly.

    There are a large number of vehicles in the country which were supplied by India and for which no spares have ever arrived or will arrive in the future. As these vehicles are old it is most uneconomical to use the few spares which arrive to repair them. These spares are intended for the newer vehicles now arriving and if the old vehicles continue to absorb spares the position will remain chronically bad in the command. It has now been decided to repair the ex India vehicles by cannibalisation only and to use no further new parts on them. The position should therefore improve greatly in six months time.

    Equipment and Workshop Personnel

    The departure of 19 Workshop Company rear party and the equipment of H.Q. 1 Advanced Base Workshop has been a serious blow to Workshop resources.

    With 500 Polish trainees and 1400 Iraqis in shops the problem of dilution has become acute as there are now only 600 B.O.R.s. Supervision is essential if an economical return is to be got from Civilian employees.

    Unit Personnel

    The average temperature this month has been much lower than was expected and as a result there has been no trouble so far with the effects of heat. The huts are much cooler in the afternoons than the tents and provide good living accommodation.

    [signed] Lt. Col. D. Campbell.

    Al Mussaiyib - 1st May 1943 – Nothing to report.

    2nd May – A small fire occurred at the battery charging switch board. No damage was done and the fire precaution system worked smoothly.

    3rd May – The Rear Party of 19 Workshop Company left to-day for M.E.F. Verbal warning received that H.Q. No 1 Advanced Base Workshop are likely to move at the end of this month.

    4th May – Nothing to report.

    5th May – Two officers reported for duty. Lt.Russel (E.M.E.) from the British Military Mission and Lt. R.R. Harman (Radio Maintenance Office) from an O.C.T.U.

    6th May – The model armoured car manufactured in these Workshops was presented to the King of Iraq by the C in C. The carrying party consisted of the men who had made the car and all were presented to His Majesty after the ceremony.

    7th May – A Crane Commission examined all Workshop cranes to determine their suitability for the work being done. They could come to very few conclusions owing to the fluctuation of work in the shops.

    Instructions received to return to H.Q. No 1 Advanced Base Workshop by 20th May all machinery borrowed from them. This means that approximately 50% of the machine shop equipment will go.

    8th, 9th, 10th May – Nothing to report.

    11th May – C.E.M.E. left with the D.M.E. to visit No 1 Base Workshop.

    12th, 13th, 14th, 15th May – Nothing to report.

    16th May – Major A.E.H. Taplin [?] detached to H.Q. 30th Ind Inf Bde for 4 weeks instruction, having been nominated for a Senior Staff Course.

    17th May – C.E.M.E. returned from No 1 Base Workshop.

    18th, 19th May – Nothing to report.

    20th May – C.E.M.E. attended a security conference at the Town Major's office presided over by the Bde Cdr. Additional wire is to be provided for the W/Shop boundary fences and the method of guarding to to be altered.

    21st May – Lt. Col. Marson (A.D.M.E.) and Lt. Col. Cameron (A.D.M.?) from G.H.Q. inspected the Mobile Operating Theatre being built in these Workshops.

    22nd May – Colonel Metcalf (1 Base Workshops) arrived to discuss joint workshop problems.

    23rd May – Nothing to report.

    24th May – C.E.M.E. went to G.H.Q. to discuss Chevrolet spares position with the D.M.E.

    25th May – E.M.E. Conference on local security by Bde Cdr.

    26th May – Captain Hubbard (E.M.E. Radio & Wireless) came from G.H.Q. to examine some G.L. Sets.

    27th May – Bde Cdr inspected workshop perimeter defences.

    28th May – Transport has arrived to move H.Q. No 1 Advanced Base Workshop on 1st June.

    29th May – C.E.M.E. attended a Bde Cdr's conference at Baghdad.

    30th May – Nothing to report.
     
  5. RemeDesertRat

    RemeDesertRat Very Senior Member

    Interesting stuff, well done for taking the time for posting this. :)
     
  6. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    Al Mussaiyib – 1st, 2nd, 3rd June 1943 – Nothing to report.

    4th June – Brig Armes, CE, N Iraq called to discuss water problems in the workshops area. He was told that the present supply was only just capable of supplying workshop requirements and that a shortage was feared when the weather became really hot.

    5th June – A fire occurred in the sawdust dump behind the Carpenter's shop this afternoon. With the assistance of 211 A.O.D. fire pumps it was extinguished without any damage being done. As no fire tanks or piped water are available all water trucks in the area had to be mobilised to maintain an adequate supply of water. The inadequate fire fighting arrangements have again been represented to 30 Ind Inf Bde.

    6th June – Nothing to report.

    7th June – Lt Col Marson A.D.M.E. G.H.Q. and Major Hammond inspected the Iraqi Rifle Factory to determine the usefulness of certain machine tools for the army.

    8th, 9th June – Nothing to report.

    10th June – C.E.M.E. visited D.M.E. and D.D.M.E. at G.H.Q.

    11th, 12th, 13th June – Nothing to report.

    14th June – Regimental training restarted. The first party began a six day course of instruction at 19 Reinforcement Camp today. It consists mainly of weapons training finishing up with an assault course.

    15th June – Nothing to report.

    16th June C.E.M.E. visited D.M.E. to discuss Chevrolet spare parts. Major Taplin returned to unit after Staff attachment to 30 Ind Inf Bde. His is still in quarters.

    17th June – Nothing to report.

    18th June – Brig Stewart, D.M.E. accompanied by Lt. Col. Marson, inspected Workshops. He stated that 102 Inf Tank Workshops were being removed from our control on 1 July.

    19th June – Col. Blight Comdr 30 Ind Inf Bde inspected the workshop perimeter wiring.

    20th June – Nothing to report.

    21st June – Major Charles attached to H.Q. 30 Ind Inf Bde for one months instruction to determine his suitability to go on the Senior Staff Course.
    Lt. K.B. [??]lton and Lt. G. S. Sessions reported for duty. They have arrived from U.K. on a recent draft.

    22nd June - A large consignment of No 19 Wireless sets have arrived for servicing and testing. They are urgently required. The Wireless Sect. of 102 Inf Tank Workshop are to remain as a Rear Party to assist in this work.

    23rd, 24th, 25th June – Nothing to report.

    26th June – Col Blight Comd. 30 Ind Inf Bde, inspected Workshop perimeter wiring.
    C.E.M.E. visited G.H.Q. to see D.M.E.

    27th June – Col. Mitland, D.D.M.E. Inspected Workshops.

    28th June – On previous instructions, No 75 Heavy AA Workshop Section have been mobilising under orders of this unit. The personnel have been found mainly from within the unit with certain additions posted from 1 Base Workshop. They moved today to join 75 Heavy A.A. Regiment. Major Taplin admitted to 33 C.G.H.

    29th June – 102 Inf Tank Workshop personnel withdrawn from shops.

    30th June – Warning order received from D.M.E. that this Workshop must be prepared to accept new commitments in the form of assembling new vehicles received from U.K. (in cases partly dismantled). The estimated output to be 100 vehicles per week.

    Al Mussaiyib – June 1943

    Workshops

    Further reductions of personnel in workshops have continued during this month. 102 Inf Tank Workshops (over 100 strong) have been withdrawn and 75 Hy A.A. Workshop Sect. have been formed from 5 Advanced Base Workshop personnel.

    In addition, leave, regimental training courses and sickness account for 20% of unit personnel. The net result has been that the effective unit strength actually employed in Workshops has sunk to 295 OR's and these men are supervising 1200 Iraqis and 350 Polish trainees. The dilution problem is now becoming acute. A warning has been received that approx 120 Iraqi tradesmen are to be transferred from this workshop to N. Iraq for duty with area workshops. This will not ease the position of supervision however, as they require good tradesmen this will involve releasing the type of man who can work on his own.

    A new commitment for the coming month is starting a Vehicle Assembly Unit. To provide unskilled labour for this work 150 Aux Pioneers will be attached to workshops.

    Unit

    Leave at Penjwin Camp and regimental training under the instructions of 19 Reinforcement Camp are providing the men with a definite change from shop duties and their physical condition is improving.

    The summer is not so severe as last years and with improved living conditions and shorter working hours their morale is high. The excellent response to recent rush work indicates that the men have plenty of spirit and enthusiasm despite their long stay at one station in the plains of Iraq.

    [signed] Lt. Col. D. Campbell.
     
  7. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    Al Mussaiyib – 1st July 1943 – C.E.M.E. visited D.M.E. to discuss equipment and personnel required for vehicle assembly programme.
    102 Inf Tank Workshop REME left for new location with Polish Army. They were the last of the units whose personnel were employed here in workshops. Only H.Q. 5 Ad. Base W/Shops and 5 Workshop Coy now remain at Mussaiyib.

    2nd July – Nothing to report.

    3rd July – C.E.M.E. sent for by D.M.E. to discuss further details of vehicle assembly. It is planned to send all British made vehicles for issue to the British and Polish army to be assembled here. The most serious hold up lies with off loading facilities. The maximum lift possible with existing crane is 2T. Many cases will weigh between 6 and 8 tons.

    4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th July – Nothing to report.

    9th July – Col. Blight Cdr 30 Ind Inf Bde visited Workshops to discuss fire precaution in connection with the Vehicle Assembly Wood Yard. Packing cases will be de-nailed here and wood loaded on to rail.

    10th July – Nothing to report.

    11th July – Very hot wind. 3 officers went sick today.

    12th July – Nothing to report.

    13th July – GSO III (PAD) 30 Ind Inf Bde visited Workshops to inspect progress in Fire Fighting equipment.

    14th, 15th, 16th July – Nothing to report.

    17th July – Another officer sick in quarters.

    18th July – A [??] loco and 12 trucks arrived by rail. A track is to be laid for taking cases from Vehicle Assembly Shops to de-nailing area.

    19th July – Capt [??] Donaldsen (E.M.E.) reported today for duty. Capt J.E.T. Hoyle R.E. reported today on attachment.

    20th July – First train load of cased vehicles (Jeeps) arrived during the night. They were easily handled by the 2T crane and presented no difficulty.

    21st July – More cased vehicles arrived. Temperature highest so far this year (126 ° [52°C] in tents) The Polish orchestra and concert party gave an excellent performance on our stage in the evening.

    22nd July – More cased vehicles arrived.

    23rd July – Nothing to report.

    24th July – All Jeeps received have now been assembled and as the supply has stopped, all men employed at this work will have to be returned to repair shop on Monday. 96 Jeeps were assembled during the 5 days we have been operating on this work.

    25th, 26th, 27th July – Nothing to report.

    28th July – Information received that an 8 ton Lorraine Crane is being sent here. Once it arrives 40 trucks per day of cased miscellaneous heavy vehicles of British make will be sent here. We cannot assemble mixed batches at this rate but may be able to clear the flats.

    Lt. McGowen and 30 M.T. repair personnel left to form Workshop detachment for Polish army. This is a temporary commitment only.

    29th July – We are moving 2 overhead cranes from No 11 Shop to No 1 Shop to speed up vehicle assembly. R.E. cannot undertake this as all their personnel have left the area.

    30th July – Nothing to report.

    31st July – Nothing to report.

    Al Mussaiyib – July 1943

    The decision to assemble vehicles in these workshops and the consequent re-allocation of labour has been the most important feature this month. Had this been accompanied by a corresponding reduction in repair commitments, the matter would have been straight forward. We have been instructed, however, that the vehicle and major assembly overhaul shops must continue to operate. The result is that we are staffing a Base Workshop and the Vehicle Assembly Unit from a total strength of 500 BOR's. The departure of other Workshop units where personnel worked in shops has led to an increase in the dilution of Iraqi labour and it is considered that saturation point has been reached in the absorption of civilians on the M.T. side.

    The total output of the Workshops is considered good for our Workshop Coy, Unit as the available labour is spread out over 500.000 sq ft of covered accommodation. The shops appear to be quiet.

    The actual numbers of men working is very low – 282, representing 56% of the unit. The remainder are accounted for as follows:-
    Leave - 59
    Regt Trg – 29
    Regtl Employed – 26
    On detachment – 43
    Hospital – 47
    Sick in quarters – 21

    The high leave percentage is necessary to give all men 10 days leave in the hills during the hot season. Sick and hospital rates are high but normal for July in this country.

    [signed] Lt.Col. D.Campbell
     
  8. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    Al Mussaiyib - 1st August 1943 – Nothing to report.

    2nd August – The 8T Lorraine Crane arrived for offloading cased vehicles and is in poor condition. Both crane engine and vehicle engine are very badly worn and crane jib is slightly bent.

    3rd August – First train of cased vehicles arrived. The 8T crane is dealing with them easily.

    4th August – Night shift started on off loading cased vehicles to ease the craneage position. The hours are 18:00 – 22:00 and 22:30 – 02:00 hrs.

    5th August – Nothing to report.

    6th August – DME (Brig Stewart) and ADME (Lt Col Marson) inspected Workshop and in particular vehicle assembly. They promised to get improved lighting in shops on night shift and also general lighting for cased vehicle...area.

    7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th August – Nothing to report.

    14th August – The vehicle engine on the Lorraine crane failed during the night and a replacement assembly is essential. There are no spares for this...engine in the Command so we are experimenting with an AEC engine. Major Charles returned to unit after being detached for the past 2 months.

    15th August – The Lorraine crane is being towed from truck to truck and much time is wasted.

    16th , 17th August – Nothing to report.

    18th August – The crane engine in the Lorraine crane failed last night and off-loading has now stopped. The night shift has been suspended.

    19th August – C.E.M.E. examined a ¾ cubic yard mechanical shovel on site in Baghdad. It could easily be adapted for use as a crane and its purchase by the army was recommended.

    20th August – C.E.M.E. (Col [?] ) inspected Workshop area and agreed to...additional lighting on a priority basis.

    21st August – Major [?] RAOC arrived on posting order to take up appointment as R.C.O

    22nd, 23rd, 24th August – Nothing to report.

    25th August – C.E.M.E. attended a Security conference in Town Major's H.Q. The advance party of the Command Vehicle Maintenance School arrived. It has been decided to hand over shops No 21, 25 and 81 to this unit to provide accommodation for I.O.R. [?] Div Vehicle maintenance.

    26th August – The Polish Technical Training Centre closed today and all Poles have now left Workshops. Since Nov. 42, when this training commenced 950 Poles have been trained as tradesmen by this Workshop and attained a sufficient standard to enable them to rejoin their units as qualified tradesmen.

    27th August – Lt Col MacWelham (Q(AE)) visited shops to see the Vehicle Assembly lines. A 6T Ransome and Rapier crane arrived from No2 VAU to replace the 8T Lorraine crane still out of action.

    28th August – Major Sheldrake, the outgoing R.C.O. left for G.H.Q. M.E.F.

    29th August – Vehicle assembly night shift now started with new crane.

    30th August – Warning received from D.D.M.E. G.H.Q. that 50 men are to be posted from this unit to No 2 VAU.

    31st August – Nothing to report.

    Al-Mussaiyib - August 1943

    Vehicle Assembly

    The assembly of cased British vehicles for the British and Polish armies has now become the most important “side line” of this Workshop. Approx 60 O.R's and 120 Iraqis are employed on assembling and 100 I.O.R's (Aux Pioneers) on de-nailing timber from the packing cases. The estimated output is 200 vehicles a month but this may be improved on later. This work is being done here as an over flow from No 2 V.A.U. and the policy is to make 64 small wired batches here leaving the VAU to do large consignments of the same make and type.

    Shops No 1 and 2 with a total flow area of 86,000 sq ft are being used and additional [?] have been erected in them from other shops. The limiting factors are craneage and labour. During the month of August only our mobile crane (8T) has been available both for off loading crates, moving cases and lifting heavy bodies and cabs on to chassis. Due to the inevitable breakdowns experienced with a crane as old as the one issued much time has been lost and output affected accordingly...

    Labour is governed by the amount of priority work in the Department plus the the degree of dilution with Iraqi personnel where it is possible to take on more repetition work. As many BOR's as possible regardless of trades, have been taken from other shops and once these have been trained it will be possible to increase the number of Iraqi and Indian personnel. The continual change in type and make of vehicles being [?] due to the small mixed batches arriving makes the use of unskilled labour difficult for actual assembly purposes.

    Polish Troops

    The closing of the Polish Technical Training Centre withdrew 500 Poles from shops. Although these men were under instruction they contributed materially to output and it was anticipated that their departure would be reflected by a drop in output. This drop was very small in practice and it would therefore appear that the release of BOR instructors to productive work has balanced the output of the students. In all approx 900 Poles have passed through shops in 8 months. Their previous experience had either been in a trade for which there was no demand in the Polish army or had been acquired in the army without definite instruction. It was not feasible to set up a complete training establishment for them as they were taught by working in shops by day as a trade apprentice does and by lectures in the evening. The Polish staff stated that they were very satisfied with the results.

    British Personnel [this can be found here: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/reme-raoc/35947-5-advanced-base-workshop-health-morale.html ]
     
  9. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    Interesting stuff, well done for taking the time for posting this. :)

    Cheers - the handwriting was really bad ;)
     
  10. RemeDesertRat

    RemeDesertRat Very Senior Member

    Cheers - the handwriting was really bad ;)

    Tell me about it!! :) Dads service records and some of the war diaries look like a spider crawled across them.
     
  11. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    Do you know if any of the WD census numbers are listed anywhere within the diary?

    Cheers
    Kevin
     
  12. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    Hi Kevin - in this diary there is nothing specific. A list of "A" Vehicles etc and the output.

    In the 1942 diary that I have, there is a stores list with a few vehicle types and numbers ie: "Truck 4 whld Fordson 15 cwt 4308947" with parts demanded for that vehicle. No "C" prefix.

    Is that of any interest/use?
     
  13. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    Hi Kevin - in this diary there is nothing specific. A list of "A" Vehicles etc and the output.

    In the 1942 diary that I have, there is a stores list with a few vehicle types and numbers ie: "Truck 4 whld Fordson 15 cwt 4308947" with parts demanded for that vehicle. No "C" prefix.

    Is that of any interest/use?

    Hi,

    Yes those are the War Department census numbers I am looking for, placing the vehicle during the war.

    Truck 4 whld Fordson 15 cwt Z4307852 - Z4310851. Contract V3861 3000 vehicles.

    Cheers
    Kevin

    Kevin
     
  14. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    I knew these numbers would eventually mean something to someone :D

    Have sent a PM.
     

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